In the midst of life I woke to find myself living in an old house beside Brick Lane in the East End of London

Lucinda Rogers’ Cards

January 31, 2015

by the gentle author

Contributing Artist Lucinda Rogers who did the beautiful drawings of the East End streets in my first book Spitalfields Life, has now produced this set of six greetings cards printed in London which you can order direct from her website Lucinda Rogers’ Shop and she will post them off to you direct from her favourite Post Office in the Hackney Rd.

Spitalfields drawn from a rooftop in Brick Lane in 2002

Columbia Rd Flower Market drawn from the back of an empty flower lorry looking over the market

Smithfield Market - The General Market has been under threat for many years, but in 2014 was given a stay of execution when the Secretary of State agreed that the proposed demolition to build an office complex was wrong. However, the buildings are still deteriorating while we wait for the owners to swallow their pride and let the alternative scheme go ahead.

Brick Lane seen from the junction with Hanbury St before the construction of the minaret at the mosque

The Grassy Bridge - This view down Kingsland Rd from the time when the railway was still out-of-use is now altered by all the buildings that have appeared since and would be rendered unrecognisable by the Bishopsgate Goodsyard proposals

Hackney Bus Garage – This was drawn at night in the bus depot at Hackney Central when Routemasters were still running

These are great drawings and have wonderful energy – Spitalfields drawn from a rooftop in Brick Lane looking at Worrell House, Samuel Worrell was the builder of the fine Georgian houses on the estate built estate was developed between 1718 and 1728 by Charles Wood of Lincoln’s Inn, esquire, and Simon Michell of Lincoln’s Inn and the Middle Temple, esquire.

Have always loved Lucinda’s work; she has an excellent eye, a great line, and a wonderful sense of composition, and depth and fine feel for colour. She is a very fine draughtsperson indeed.

I was proud to be asked to illustrate the Smithfield General Market front facade for SAVE Britain’s Heritage’s campaign to halt the original development plan. Smithfield Market and the lesser known rear part of it this historic site which includes the General Market is a fascinating area of London. I watch with interest to the future development of this site which should preserve its fine interior too.

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